On February 24, 2026, Autodesk, a leader in design and manufacturing software, announced a groundbreaking partnership with Mike Schultz, a three-time U.S. Paralympic medalist and CEO of BioDapt. This collaboration aims to advance the next generation of high-performance prosthetics, especially for para athletes gearing up for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. Following his upcoming retirement from competitive para snowboarding, Schultz will focus entirely on innovation within the prosthetics space.

2. The Journey of Mike Schultz

Schultz's remarkable journey began in 2008 when he lost his leg due to a snowmobile accident. Undeterred, he designed and built a prosthetic leg that enabled him to compete in snowboarding. In 2010, he founded BioDapt, which has since become a vital player in providing adaptive sports prosthetics. Currently, approximately 90% of lower-limb athletes in Para Snowboard World Cup events use BioDapt equipment, demonstrating the impact of Schultz's innovations.

3. Technical Collaboration with Autodesk

The partnership builds on months of technical collaboration using Autodesk Fusion, an AI-powered industry cloud designed for manufacturing. The goal is to redesign and refine key components of Schultz's competitive prosthetic systems. Schultz's transition to a full-time innovator at BioDapt will enable further scaling of innovations across both winter and summer para sports.

Addressing Global Needs

The collaboration's implications extend beyond elite competition. The World Health Organization estimates that over 2.5 billion people globally require assistive products, with access rates as low as 3% in some regions. While BioDapt's initial focus is on high-performance sport, the underlying challenge lies in creating durable, repeatable, and scalable prosthetics that can benefit a broader population.

4. Enhancements to Prosthetic Design

Schultz and Autodesk's teams have recently consolidated years of prosthetic development into Autodesk Fusion, establishing a centralized hub for BioDapt's designs. They prioritized improvements to critical components, such as the ankle frame and binding brace, enhancing performance and durability in cold conditions. Notable advancements include:

Increased stiffness of components without extending 3D print time.

Addition of hole patterns allowing one part to fit multiple BioDapt leg models, reducing the need for separate versions.

Enhanced design efficiency, enabling rapid iterations even during travel for training and competitions.

These improvements resulted in increased reliability and structural integrity, giving Schultz greater confidence in his equipment during competitions.

5. Future Innovations on the Horizon

Looking ahead, Schultz and Autodesk are excited about potential areas for further innovation, which may include:

Advanced ankle-frame concepts using metal 3D printing.

Integration of motion capture and embedded sensor data to analyze force transfer and fatigue.

Utilizing AI-powered tools in Autodesk Fusion to automatically suggest and evaluate design improvements, allowing for quick adaptations based on training demands.

6. A New Chapter for Mike Schultz

As Schultz transitions from competitor to full-time innovator, he expresses enthusiasm about applying his experiences to help the next generation of athletes. "I've always had two sides to my career — competing and building," said Schultz. He continues to emphasize the importance of understanding forces and materials in prosthetic design, aiming to create measurable differences for many athletes, not just a select few.

7. Autodesk's Vision

Jeff Kinder, EVP of Design and Manufacturing at Autodesk, praised Schultz's dual expertise as an elite athlete and engineer. "With Autodesk Fusion, we've brought together design and manufacturing in a single, cloud-based platform — connecting teams, data, and workflows while leveraging AI to accelerate development from concept to production." This integrated approach sets a precedent for high-performance prosthetic innovation.

8. A Documented Journey

The transition of Schultz from competitor to innovator will be documented in a three-part docuseries titled *Built to Move*, co-produced with TFA Group, set to launch on March 6, 2026, on Autodesk.com.

9. Conclusion

The partnership between Autodesk and Mike Schultz marks a significant milestone in the evolution of prosthetic technology for para athletes. As they collaborate to innovate and optimize prosthetic designs, the impact of their work will likely resonate far beyond the world of competitive sports, potentially transforming the lives of millions who rely on assistive products globally.

Original press release